Long Distance Thanksgiving Kindness

--by lanilaulii, posted Nov 18, 2010

I work with a warm, fun-loving woman named Heather. This year our boss asked a group of us to join his family on Thanksgiving. Seated around the table, Heather said something had totally changed her the day before -- like she was walking in a new direction. I listened and watched as her eyes welled with tears.

Heather deals daily with people on the telephone. She was speaking with a Veteran and asked if he was looking forward to Thanksgiving. She was surprised when he said no, and asked why.

He had been let go from his job more than a month before and was having a tough time making ends meet. He shared how hard it was to feel powerless to provide a Thanksgiving meal for his wife and children. She wished him a happy holiday and good luck. There was nothing to do but say good-bye and hang-up.

But I must do something, she thought. She knew the man’s address and started calling restaurants in California (we’re in Florida), asking if they could prepare and deliver a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Over and over she was told no, it was too late or no, we don’t do that or no, we don’t deliver on holidays.

Running out of options, she called a delicatessen and relayed what she wanted to do. The man at the Deli Man agreed to help -- If Heather would pay, he would shop for everything, prepare the meal and deliver it to the family on Thanksgiving.

And so it was, with a warm (anonymous) wish for a joyous Thanksgiving from someone who cared.

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Posted by lanilaulii
Nov 18, 2010
Comments (19)

Readers Comments

bookworm58 wrote: Wonderful story on a wonderful holiday such as thanksgiving. Warms my heart to read this story. Thanks for sharing

madhur wrote: We r becoming concerned about others happiness via this website. Its a revolution of bringing happiness and luv to the world. Whoever contributes in any form is blessed.

turkey wrote: Wow this is shocking! Its truely a miracle!

Honallu wrote: This is heavenly!

I love it! Awesoooooooome

El'cid wrote: God bless heather 4 she is the type we want in our today's world.

Ann wrote: The true meaning of thanksgiving. Thank you heather for reminding us of our responsibility to care for all.

Elijah wrote: A very inspiring story, i pray that we should have alot of people like heather in the world today!

cabbage wrote: Thank you for sharing that we can help others even when we are far away from them!

Many smiles and hugs to you.

smileon wrote: I was on the receiving end of a thanksgiving dinner one year while going through my divorce. I have no doubt that you touched not only that families hearts but also planted a "giving seed" into the heart of the deli man. God bless you!

Ron wrote: Thank you for such a heart warming story. We must be doers and not dreamers.

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